Sauvignon Semillon

Waipara was buffeted by frequent strong winds in late spring and early summer which coincided with the period when the grapes were in flower. It impaired pollination and thus quite markedly reduced the crop level. The rest of the summer, however, and the autumn was warm, dry and lingering. We were thus able to harvest beautifully ripened, flavoursome grapes which had retained good levels of natural acidity.

After harvesting the grapes were gently pressed and the sauvignon blanc juice was put into stainless steel tanks and allowed to undergo fermentation by the action of its own indigenous or wild yeasts. During this time it was maintained at low temperatures to help preserve its varietal vibrancy and intensity. The semillon was put into old French oak barriques and also underwent wild fermentation due to its own micro-organisms. Neither the sauvignon blanc or semillon juice was clarified before the fermentation commenced and when this had ceased, both the wines were left sitting for 9 months on the natural deposits which had formed during this time (sur lie). This was to help them develop extra complexity, mid-palate texture and creaminess. The sauvignon and semillon portions were then blended according to taste prior to bottling.

The low crops have helped give this traditional French blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon extra concentration and depth. The bouquet shows the exotic characters of lychee, paw paw and passionfruit, underlain by nuances of gooseberry. These come from the sauvignon. The semillon provides complimentary lemon and lime flavours as well as structure and length on the palate. The wild fermentation has added a racy component of Turkish musk complexity. While ready to drink on release, with careful cellaring, the wine will develop an array of other fascinating characters and the semillon should help it live for 5-10 years of more.

”The fruit richness is balanced and cut by crisp acidity, and the palate is elegant in proportion with a fine phenolic line smoothly carrying the wine. As the wine flows, the palate tends to dryness and the flavours lead to a long, lingering finish. This is an elegantly concentrated Sauvignon/Semillon blend with fresh, fruit and a fine linearity and dry mouthfeel. …”

- Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz

This is a seriously powerful white wine and clearly semillon is an excelsior in the blend; wonderfully decedent and invigorating, drinking well now but you can sense with its unbridled power and cut it will cellar for 10 years or more.

2011

92/100

Pale straw-tinged yellow. Complex, bracing aromas of gooseberry, white pepper, ginger, quinine, crushed stone and dusty herbs, plus a hint of lanolin. Broad, spicy and quite dry, with firm acidity giving excellent cut to the subtle flavors of citrus fruits and floral oils; more concentrated than the overwhelming majority of New Zealand's sauvignon-based wines. The long finish features a bitter-edged grapefruit note that calls for a year or two of patience.

- Steve Tanzer, www.internationalwinecellar.com, USA

The flavours lead to a very long, lingering, tightly bound finish. This is a very elegant, concentrated Sauvignon Blanc based wine with very fine textures and complex flavours.

- Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz

This is one of the country’s best sauvignon blancs, but not as you normally know it. A little Semillon in this blend goes a long way towards creating a rainbow of flavours…The result is complex, fascinating flavours with richness, depth and length to burn.